US Attorney Barbara McQuade announces indictments in string of Jewelry store Smash and Grab Robberies across the country  A gang of six alleged jewelry store thieves was indicted late Thursday in a smash-and-grab robbery, the latest in a string of daring heists that will be the focus of a Friday morning news conference. In the latest indictment, six people were charged with conspiring to rob the Lux Bond & Green jewelry store in West Hartford, Conn., on Oct. 8. The U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI and other law enforcement agencies are expected to discuss the indictment and other smash-and-grab robberies, including one at Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in West Bloomfield Township, MI last year, during the news conference Friday in downtown Detroit. They will highlight the trend of smash-and-grab robberies nationwide, and involving suspects from Metro Detroit, that has cost jewelers millions in Rolex watches and other valuables. In all, 17 people have been charged in a series of 40 robberies in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Mississippi, Nebraska and Connecticut. The six people coordinated the Connecticut robbery and used sledgehammers to steal jewelry, according to the indictment. The six people charged are Ernie Thomas Evans, Darrick Adams, Brandon Mayes, Bria Jackson, Shaquita Wyatt and Bria Stanford. The six were indicted on a robbery conspiracy charge, a 20-year felony. The case dates to August 2014 when FBI agents started investigating a series of jewelry store robberies across the Midwest and East Coast. wxyz.com

JEWELERS ALERT - FBI Press Release Warning about Increase in Smash and Grabs

Police Sergeant - box stuffer - busted for $1,500 electronics felony theft at Walmart with demagnetizing tool - wanted in multiple states  Investigators said security at the Walmart store in Trumann caught the Lake City Arkansas PD Sergeant officer in the act stuffing mailboxes with electronics and had a demagnetizing tool on him. Chamness was fired after a judge found probable cause to charge him with felony shoplifting and possessing the demagnetizing tool. We're told he's in jail in Paragould, Arkansas, facing similar theft charges and is also wanted in Kennett, Missouri. wreg.com

ORC male duo - 1 sent to prison for 2 to 8 years after 8 counts of retail theft - Other suspect awaiting sentencing in Lebanon, PA  Timothy J. Ross of Hummelstown was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Charles T. Jones Jr. for stealing items - mainly computers and televisions - from two Walmart stores in North Londonderry and North Lebanon townships beginning on Dec. 21, 2013, and ending Sept. 3, 2014. He also attempted to steal merchandise from the North Londonderry Township store on Dec. 31, 2014. Gaffney pleaded guilty to charges lodged against him and is scheduled to be sentenced March 25. ldnews.com

Over $20,000 in Designer Eyeglasses Recovered in Victorville, CA
On February 6th, deputies responded to a Commercial Burglary at Desert Family Eyecare in Victorville. The deputy determined that four suspects entered the business and concealed several pairs of designer sunglasses on their persons, totaling an approximate value of $2500. Through investigation, the group of suspects were identified as a theft ring that was responsible for numerous commercial burglaries in the San Bernardino and Orange County areas. One of the suspects was identified as 38-year-old Anthony Ramirez from Buena Park. On February 18th a search warrant was served at his residence. During the search approximately 15 pairs of designer sunglasses were located. A female juvenile was also located at the location and was identified as one of Ramirez's co-conspirators. Since Ramirez's arrest, detectives have recovered over 100 pairs of designer sunglasses believed to be stolen that were pawned by Ramirez at various pawn shops in the High Desert. The total amount of designer sunglasses recovered in this investigation is believed to be in excess of $20,000. vvng.com

Victoria's Secret store in the Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre, PA hit Again for nearly $2000 in bras  Since last March, there have been four reported thefts of multiple bras from the store. The latest theft was reported by the store manager on Wednesday when 39 bras from display drawers were stolen sometime between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The bras stolen were Body by Victoria Perfect Comfort, Tshirt Demi and Dream Angels Multiway. Value of the stolen merchandise is $1,773, police said. Eight days ago, the manager reported 94 bras were stolen from display drawers valued at $4,166. An employee at the same store reported last July that an unknown person had stolen 75 bras valued at $4,200. And in March 2014, the store manager reported $4,014 worth of clothing was stolen from the store. timesleader.com